Expanded metal lath machine



Sat 6, 1933. E. T. REDDiNG EXPANDED METAL LATH MACHINE 2 Sheets-SheetFiled May 12 1926 l 1 X I l l l F I I I l Oct. 6, 1931. E. T. REDDlNG1,825,285

EXPANDED METAL LATH MACHINE Filed May 12, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PatentedOct. 6, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWARD T. REDDIN G, OFPARKERSBUR-G, WEST VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR TO PENN METAL COMPANY, OFCAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS EXPANDED METALLATH MACHINE Application filed May 12,

This invention relates to an improved mechanism for slitting and formingribs in metal sheets prior to the expanding thereof, the invention beingparticularly, although not exclusively, adapted for use in machinesforproducing expanded metal lath of the fiat-rib type. I

An object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for forming ribbedlath, in which the ribs are formed in the metal sheet by the dies of apress and wherein the sheet is also slitted at substantially the sametime, an important feature of the invention residing in the fact thatthe slitting mechanism is adapted to hold the sheet in proper positionagainst distortion while the ribs are being formed in the forming dies.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following descriptionand appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawingsforming a part of this specification wherein like reference charactersdesignate corresponding parts in the several views and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation illustrating a press embodying myinvention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view illustrating the punch and former at thecommencement, of theop'eration.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section taken substantially on the lines 33,Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section taken on lines L4, Fig. 2. i

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating the position of thepunches after forming the slits in the work.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the forming dies in closedposition.

Fig. 7 is a view showing a partially formed metal sheet.

Fig. 8 is a view of the sheet completely slit-ted and ribbed.

F ig. 9 is'a View of the sheet after being expanded.

Heretofore in the manufacture of fiat rib expanded metal lath, it wasusually the practice to form the ribs in the metal sheet in two distinctoperations, to slit the sheet in another operation and thereafter expandthe slitted and ribbed sheet. The metal strip 1926. Serial No. 108,649.

or sheet to be slitted, ribbed and expanded was first fed through rollsin one machine and formed with longitudinal ribs at the edges of thestrip, then fed through another set of rolls and slitted. Thereafter thesheet was fed through a second machine and the remaining ribs wereformed in the sheet. All the ribs could not be formed at one operationdue to the distortion ofthe metal, so that it heretofore required twoseparate mechanisms or machines and three distinct operations to form aslitted or ribbed sheet ready to be expanded.

In accordance with the present invention, I am able to produce slittedand ribbed sheets in two simultaneous operations in one press, as aresult of which improved method and mechanism considerable reduction inthe cost of production results and the metal lath may i be produced morerapidly and in larger quantities. In addition to these advantages thepresent invention enables a more rigid and stronger lath to be producedsince less pressure is employed in accordance with my invention thanheretofore where the sheets were subjected to great pressure between therolls which formed the slits and ribs.

7 Referring to the drawings wherein I have illustrated a presentpreferred form of my invention, it will be seen that the machinecomprises a suitable stationary bed plate 20, and above thisreciprocates a suitable ram 21. The parts 20 and 21 constitute thecooperating elements of the press, and the ram is connected at 22 to asuitable mechanism for reciprocating the ram vertically toward and from.the stationary bed plate or press elementQO. The bed plate 20 isprovided with vertical guides 23 which are guided within vertical guideholes 24 formed in the ram 21.

The ram or upper press element is provided with a series of slittingpunches 25. These punches as shown in Figs. 3 and 5 are mounted inalinement and extend transversely of the work WV. In rear of theslitting punches 25 the ram 21 carries a die member 26, the lowerworking face ofwhich is formed with alternate depressions 26a and ribs266. The lower press element or bed plate 20 is provided with a hardenedsteel plate 27 having a series of transverse holes 28 located verticalalinement with the several punches 25. In rear of the guide holes 28 theplate 27 is formed with a die face having alternate ribs or depressions27a and 27b mating with the corresponding working face of the die memberor former 26.

The metal sheet or strip is intermittently fedthrough the machine in thedirection of the arrows in Figs. 1 and 2, in a step by step manner, thestrip being ted beneath a positioning or guide plate 29 having holes 30through which the punches 2F reciprocate. As the strip is initially fedinto position beneath the punches 25, and upon descent of the ram 21,these punches will form a series or row of, slits S, Stransversely otthe blank. After a predetermined number ot' teed movements the slittedportion of: the blank will reach a position beneath the die member orformer 2G, and upon descei of the ram one portion of the sheet will betermed with ribs while a preceding portion of the sheet is formed withslits, as shown by the left and right hand portions of the sheet in Fig.7. Thus the slitting and ribbing of the sheetis accomplishedsimultaneously at two successivc points. The sheet is held firmly inposition against any possibility 0t distortion by the fact that theslitting punches 25 enter the sheet in advance of the main operation ofthe die members 26 and thus hold the sheet in firm position. In otherwords the torming otthe ribs, or, at least, the elective tormingthereof, between the opposite die faces of the press is carried outwhile the sheet is held or engaged by the slitting punches. The punchespreferably engage the metal sheet at the same time as the formers 01'dies 26, but the punches will have penetrated the sheet andsubstantially completed their operation before the maximum pressure iseXerted by the die members thus substantially eliminating distortion orbuckling of the sheet. The punches however may be of such leiigth as tocon'nnence to pene "rate the metal sheet slightly ahead of the formersor dies. In any case the sheet is operated on by a gang or series ofslitting punches which remain in ar nas and hold the sheet againstdistor tion while another gang or series of formers simultaneously formthe ribs in the sheet.

7 Referring to Fig. 8 the ribs It between the longitudinal rows of slitsare termed by the cooperating portions 26/; and 27a of the formers, andthe grooves D between the pairs ot slits o'teach row are formed by theportions 261]) and 27?) of the formers. After the sheet has been slittedand ribbed, and is in the condition shown in 8, it is fed through anexpanding mechanism which expands it into the form shown in Figure 9.

It isto be understood that by describing in detail herein any particularform, structnre. or arrangement, it is not intended to limit theinvention beyond the terms of the several claims or the requirements ofthe prior art.

hat I claim is 1. In apparatus for preparing a lath blank for expansionthe combination of a pair ot cooperating press members adapted for theintern'iittcnt feed of a blank therethrough, cooperating slittingelements mounted in the press members and cooperating ribbing elementsmounted in the said press members, said elements being relativelydisposed and arranged to cause the ribbing elements to term ribs in. theblank while the slitting clcm'ents remain in the slits produced thereby.

2. In apparatus for slitting and ribbing a metallic blank, cooperatingrelatively movable press members and slitting and ribbing elementsassociated therewith but spaced from each other, the relativearrangement of said elements including the spacing of the ribbing fromthe slitting elements, being such that upon actuation of the press, theribbing is effected, while the slitting elements are engaged in theslits produced thereby and that the slitting elements, by theirengagement with said slits, serve to position the blank for ribbing andprevent distortion thereof during the said ribbin In apparatus forpreparing a lath blank for expansion, the combination of relativelymovable press members adapted for the intermittent feed of a blanktherethrough, cooperating slitting and ribbing elements associatedtherewith, the ribbing elements being positioned beyond the slittingelements with respect to the direction of feed through the apparatus,and said slitting and ribbing elements being relatively arranged tocause the ribbing elements to form ribs in the blank while the slittingelements are engaged in the slits produced thereby.

4. In appa 'atus for preparing a lath blank for expansion, thecombination of relatively movable press members adapted for theintermittent tced of a blank therethrough, cooperating slitting andribbing elements associated therewith, the relative arrangement of saidelements being such that, upon actuation of the press members, theoperation of the slitting elements is virtually completed beforeefiiective ribbing takes place.

5. In apparatus for preparing a lath blank for expansion, thecombination of relatively movable press members adapted for theintermittent feed of a blank therethrough, cooperating slitting andribbing elements associated therewith, the slittin elem cnts beingarranged in a series extended transversely of the blank and itsdirection of feed through the apparatus to slit the blank at a pluralityof transversely spaced points, and the relative arrangement of saidslitting and ribbing elements being such as to cause the ribbingelements to form ribs in the blank while the slitting elements areengaged in the slits produced thereby.

6. In apparatus for preparing a lath blank for expansion, thecombination of relatively 5 movable press members adapted for theintermittent feed of a blank therethrough 00-- operating slitting andribbing elements as-- sociated therewith, the slitting andribbingelements being spaced from each other length- 10 wise of the feedof the blank through the apparatus, with the slitting elements arrangedin a series extended transversely of the blank and its direction of feedthrough the apparatus to slit the blank at a plurality of transverselyspaced points, and the relative arrangement of said slitting and ribbingelements being such as to cause the ribbing elements to form ribs in theblank while the slitting elements are engaged in the slits proclucedthereby.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature.

EDWARD T. BEDDING.

